Paper embossing machinery



June 22, 1954 R. J. JACOBS PAPER EMBossING MACHINERY 6 She'ets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 1951 ROBERT d.V JACOBS attorneys June 22, 1954 R. J. JACOBS PAPER- EMBOSSING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 26,. 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 se 61 T H A 61 34 6o sz ROBERT J. JACOB @WMM :Snnmtor Clttomegs June 22, 1954y R J, JACOBS 2,681,611

PAPER EMBOSSING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 26, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheetl 3 Egg-6 F -7 `21 lg 21% I .i

- il gi l .l Xi Bnvmor 'i 75 ROBERT .1. JACOBS Cttornegs R. J. JACOBS 2,681,611 PAPER EMBOSSING MACHINERY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 OIL RESERVOIR June 22, 1954 Eiled Jan. 26, 1951 :Snnentorr ROBERT d. JACOBS `lune 22, 1954 R. J. JACOBS 2,681,611

PAPER EMBOSSING MACHINERY Filed Jan. 26, 1951 e shets-sheet e oz 22o 225 nventor ROBERT .1. JACOBS (Ittornegs Patented June 22, 1954 PAPER EMBOSSING MACHINERY Robert J. Jacobs, Fulton, N. Y., assignor to The Black-Clawson Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a.

corporation of 0hio Applicatinsanuary 26, 1951, serial No. 207,957

5 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for embossing paper and other web materials. One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an embosser of improved and simple overall construction assuring a high degree of rigidity throughout the frame together with correct alignment of the embossing rolls and accurate control of the pressure therebetween to promote optimum results in production.

In accordance with the invention, the frame of the embosser includes a rigid base having upright stands at either end thereof arranged with a deep slot open at the upper end thereof to receive the journals of the rolls. The bearing housings of the upper roll are releasably secured in rigid relation with the upper end of these stands, and the bearing supports for the lower roll are slidable with relation to the stands for ready removal and replacement when the upper roll is removed. Fluid pressure cylinders are secured within the base for applying controlled lifting pressure to the journals for the lower roll to develop the desired pressure between the rolls for operating purposes. This construction has the added advantage of leaving the inner surface of the end stands substantially free and open for mounting guide rolls or other supplemental equipment as desired.

It is an object of the invention to cushion the frame of the embosser against shock resulting from downward movement of the relatively heavy lower roll assembly when the supporting pressure is released and at the same time to assure proper mating of the working surfaces of the rolls with the web `when the pressure is reap plied. Accordingly, yieldable cushioning members are positioned between the base and the journals of the lower roll which receive and support the lower roll assembly thereon upon release of the pressure, and which are proportioned to maintain the lower roll assembly at the proper height with respect to the upper roll to prevent disengagement of the driving gears on the two rolls and thus to assure return of the rolls into proper relation with each other and the web when the pressure is reapplied.

The invention has as another object the provision of an. accurate and easily serviced control and pressure system for the rolls of the embosser. Accordingly, the entire pressure system, including both the main pressure cylinders in direct operat-` ing relation with the lower roll assembly and also booster assemblies when the latter are employed, are located entirely in the base for easy access without interferencewith the rolls or otherupper portions of the apparatus. Separate pressure cylinders and controls are provided for each end of the lower roll, as well as visual gages to facilitate accurate regulation of desired loading conditions. At the same time, provision is made for preventing damage to the rolls or to the pressure system in the event of wrapping, wrinkles or the like in the web tending to force the rolls apart, a safety switch being incorporated in the frame in such relation with the lower roll assembly as to shut off the drive upon undesired separating movement of the rolls.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an embosser construction having the above advantages and having also the additional advantage of being equally applicable to a single embosser and to a double or other multiple embosser incorporating a plurality of pairs of rolls supported on a common base and equipped with a common pressure system. Thus diiferent sets of rolls in the same embosser may be operated on the same web in sequence to superimpose different patterns thereon, or a single set of the rolls may be operated while others of the rolls are being changed, thus making it unnecessary to shut down the machine for changing rolls and at the same time offering the advantages of a plurality of single embossers at lower cost and with reduced requirements of space and power.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a single embosser constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of the control side of the embosser, with the gears and gear cover removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the control side of the embosser, partly in elevation and partly in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of one end of the embosser to show the mounting arrangement for the bearing blocks for the rolls and with the roll journal and bearings removed for simplicity of illustration Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section through the journal for the lower roll, the view being approximately in section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away, showinga supplemental guide roll assembly for the embosser;

7 is a view of the end stand and guide roll assembly looking from right to left in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating the operation of the cushioning support for the journal of the lower roll;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View showing the use of a spring as the cushioning support for the lower roll assembly;

Fig. l is a diagram of the pressure system for the embosser of Figs. 1-9.

Fig. l1 is a diagram showing the pressure system for the double embosser of Figs. 'l2-14;

Fig. l2 is an elevational View of the control side of a double embosser in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View at right angles to Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan View of the double embosser; and

Figs. l to 18 are diagrams illustrating different threading arrangements for the double embcsser of Figs. 12-14.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments oi the present invention, the single embosser of Figs. 1 10 includes a single rigid base 2G of fabricated hollow-construction. At the drive side of the base is a pair of end stands 2 I, and at the control side is a similar pair of end stands 22, each of these stands being rigidly bolted at 23 to the reinforcing plates 2d at the ends of the base. Two tie bars 25 extend across the upper end of the embosser and are bolted to the inner surfaces of opposite end stands 2l and 22 as shown. Y The end stands in each of the pairs il and 22 are arranged in spaced relation to form a deep slot open at its upper end to receive the journals of the upper and lower rolls 32 and 33, and the edges of the stands along these slots form ways 34 as shown in Fig. 5. The bearing housings 35 for the journals 36 at each end of the upper roll 32 are generally T-shaped to extend within the upper ends of the slots 33, and each housing 35 includes arms 3l at each side thereof proportioned to receive on the upper ends of the stands 2i and 22. Bolts 38 secure these arms 3l' to the end stands to maintain the parts in rigidly assembled relation, and each housing 35 may be provided with an eyebolt 39 at its upper end to facilitate lifting the upper roll assembly from the machine when desired.

The bearing il@ for each of the journals 36 of roll 32 is self-aligning, including a spherically curved outer race as shown in Fig'. 3, and it is held on the journal by means of a tapered sleeve il and lock nut il?. The outer end portion of the sleeve lli is threaded to receive a nut 43 for eiTecting ready removal of sleeve lll by tightening this nut against the bearing d3. Inner and. outer covers de and de for the bearing include edge portionslaterally overlapping the ways 34 to act as positioning gibs for the bearing housings 35. The roll 32 is extended at the drive side of the apparatus to receive a drive sprocket or pulley 5l! for connection with the main drive (not shown) and the roll 32 at the control side of the embosser carries a gear 5I meshing with a gear 52 on the lower roll 33, these gears being shown in Fig. l as provided with a cover 55 preferably having a leakproof connection with the end stands 22 to facilitate proper lubrication without danger of damage to the web by the lubricant.

The bearing 59 and associated sleeve and nuts for each journal 53 are of substantially the same construction as the bearings 4B and its asso-V ciated parts for the journal 4l. Each bearing 59 is enclosed within a bearing housing or block 63 positioned within the slot 33 in sliding relation with the ways 34 to provide for vertical movement of the entire lower roll assembly with respect to the upper roll 32 as desired to vary the operating pressure between the two rolls. The covers SI and 62 for each bearing block 60 overlapping the sides of the ways 34 as shown in Fig. 5 to act as gibs, and it will also be noted that each block 60 is of substantial length to provide an extended surface for sliding engagement with the ways 3d assuring free movement of the block in slot 33 and preventing possible cooking and jamming thereof.

Each end of the lower roll assembly is provided with a fluid pressure cylinder 65 for imparting lifting pressure thereto, each of the cylinders being mounted within the base 20 and directly secured thereto as by bolt 35 to the reenforcing plates 25. 'Pressure is transferred directly from each cylinder 65 to the adjacent block 6U through a disk member 6l which engages the underside of the bearing block and includes a downwardly extending stem portion 68 directly engaging the piston rod 69. Thus application of pressure in the cylinder is in direct line with the adjacent end stands and acts to lift the bearing block 50 and the entire lower roll assembly to develop desired pressure lbetween the two rolls 32 and 33 for embossing operations.

The lower roll assembly is usually of substantial weight, for example as much as several thousand pounds depending upon the effective length of the roll, and provision is accordingly made for cushioning the frame against shock such as might result from dropping this assembly when pressure in the cylinder 35 is released. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 9, a cylindrical bumper member lil is positioned between the upper surface of each of the base plates 24 and a lower base of the adjacent disk 6l, the bumper 'I0 being arranged to surround the stem 58 and piston rod 53 and being provided with an annular guide and support ll at its lower end. Each of the bumpers 'Fil is formed of yieldable material of suincient resilience to absorb shock resulting from dropping of the lower rollvassembly, satisfactory results having been obtained both with rubber as shown in Figs.`3 and 9 and also with a heavy helical spring such as shown in 'ma in Fig. l0 and provided with a lower guide member la and a guiding boss l?. on the associated disk member Sla.

The bumpers 'lil are so proportioned in height and stilfness with relation to the teeth of the gears V5l and 52 and its total permissible compressibility under the weight of the lower roll assembly as to maintain the roll assembly in supported position above the base 23 such that the teeth of these gears do not disengage but remain partially in mesh at all times as shown in Fig. S. Thus whenever the pressure is released in the cylinders 65 and the lower roll assembly is accordingly permitted to drop, th-e gears are retained in mesh so that when pressure is reapplied, the rolls 32 and 33 will be returned to the same position of alignment with respect to each other and the web that the embossing operation may be continued without defect in the embossing pattern as formed on the web. In addition,4 with the lower roll assembly thus initially supported by the bumpers, when the pistons in cylinders 65 are actuated, they gradually pick up the load ,from the bumpers instead of starting with the full load. providing a smooth and uniform operation.

Provision is also made for automatically discontinuing operation of the embosser in the event the Web will wrap around the rolls or in the event of wrinkles or other non-uniform conditions materially increasing the pressure or otherwise tending to force the rolls apart. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, a switch 'i5 such as a Microswitch is mounted at it on one of the end stands 22 with its operating arm II in the path of downward movement oi` the bearing block. Eil, and the Switch 'i5 is connected in any suitable way with the operating circuits for the main drive to shut o the drivewhen the operating member 'Il is depressed and preferably also to shut oi the pressure supply to cylinders 65. The mounting le is preferably adjustable to position the switch arm 'il in such predetermined spaced relation below bearing block 66 that if the web should Wrap on either roll or otherwise create a nonuniiorm condition tending to force the rolls apart, the block te will engage switch arm 'I'I to actuate switch 'i5 and thus automatically discontinue rotation of the rolls.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the construction and operating relation of the end stands and the Abearing housings as described leaves the major portion of the inner surface of the end stands open and unobstructed, and guide rolls or other supplemental equipment may be readily mounted thereon as desired within the overall horizontal dimensions of the apparatus. Referring particu larly to Figs. 6 and 7, a guide roll 8i) is supported at either end in a bearing block BI slidably mounted between a pair of tracks 82 bolted to the inner face of the end stand 2l, these parts being duplicated at the opposite end stand 22.

A threaded shaft 83 extends downwardly from the bearing block 3i and is threaded through a Worm gear 35 supported in a pair of brackets S5 bolted to the inner face of the end stand. A shaft et extends across the apparatus and is journaled in both opposite end stands, and this shaft carries worms 89 at either end in engagement with the adjacent worm gear 85. The shaft is extended at one end to receive a hand wheel Si? as shown in Fig. 6, and rotation of this hand wheel will be transmitted through the worms and gears to raise and lower the threaded shafts i3 and thus to effect corresponding raising and lowering of the blocks 3l and guide roll 8i) with respect to the rolls of the embosser.

it will apparent that a guide roll. assembly oi this construction may be mounted at either or f both sides of the embosser as desired and provides adjustable control over the angle of ap preach of the web to and from the embossing rolls. in place of the guide roll assembly, other supplemental equipment may be similarly mounted between opposite end stands as desired, for example a pair oi inking rollers and a cooperating pan as indicated in dotted lines at t5 and et in 2.

Preferred results are obtained with the cylinl ders 65 hydraulically operated, and it has also been found desirable to actuate such hydraulic cylinders by means of cooperating air booster cylinders, particularly in embossers having em bosser rolls of substantial length for operating on` web materials of correspondingly substantiai width. `Thus referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and l0, a reservoir et for hydraulic `fluid is shown mounted in the midportion of thebase 2li, and

an air booster unit It is provided between the reservoir 99 and each cylinder 65. Lines ISI for the hydraulic uid lead from the reservoir to each booster unit, and the piston rod |012 in each booster unit acts as a ram to force this fluid under high pressure through the lines Il3 to the high pressure sides of the piston and cylinders G5. Return lines Iii l-ead from the low pressure side of each cylinder 55 to the reservoir 99 to provide a leakage return for the hydraulic iiuid, the low pressure oil lines being represented by broken lines in Fig. l0 and the high pressure lines being solid..

The booster units Iil are controlled by a four- Way valve it@ shown as of the solenoid operated type, this valve being connected at III with a source of pressure air and having an exhaust outlet Iii. Lines IES lead from the valve Iii) to the high pressure side of each booster unit, and return lines Hd connect the valve with the low pressure side of each unit le@ to effect return movement of the piston therein. Each line II3 shown as provided with a regulating valve I I5 having a visual gage IIS for selective control of the pressure applied in each booster unit to determine the effective pressure developed by the associated hydraulic cylinder, the valve I I5 and gages i it being mounted in a convenient location such as on one of the end stands 22 as shown.

The main valve II is preferably mounted within the base 2e, and it is provided with push button controls indicated generally at IZQ as mounted on one of end stands 22, three buttons being shown and including one for effecting continuous loading of the cylinders, a second for eiiecting unloading of the cylinders, and a third for effecting slow running or jogging of the einbossing machine. It may also be desirable to provide an operative connection between valve iii! and the limit switch 15, as indicated at IZI in Fig. 10, to shut oi the air supply for operation of the pressure system when switch 'i5 is actuated as described.

This arrangement with substantially the entire pressure system in the base of the embosser, ex-

" cept for the controls on the end stands and the connecting lines therefor, offers material practical advantages. The base is shown as constructed with removable panels |24 and I25 in the sides and top, thus for providing ready access to the operating parts of the pressure system i' ithout interference with the rolls or other structural parts. In operation, the pressure applied is thus absorbed within the frame as described, and the frame is readily constructed as shown oi suiicient strength and rigidity to withstand such stresses without the development of strains.

The arrangement of the hydraulic cylinders with air booster units is especially desirable in large apparatus for developing high pressure against the necessarily lower roll assembly with equipment of relatively moderate size, although it should be noted that for smaller machines equally satisfactory results are obtained Without hydraulic cylinders by employing air cylinders operating directly against the bearing blocks for lpump or a hand type hydraulic pump may alsobe employed as the primary power source, but the illustrated system offers advantages of sim- `plicity and ease or maintenance.

. Figs. l1 to 14 illustrates the application of the iinrention to a double embosser embodying two separateupairs of rolls supported on a single common base |50 generally similar in construction to the base 20 as described. At each end of base |50 is a multiple end stand comprising a central pedestal and a pair of outer pedestals |52 and |53 bolted directly to the base, the center pedestal |5| being shown as open in the center for lightness in weight and provided with a pair of tie rods |54, and the outer pedestals being similarly provided with tie rods |55. The pedestals |52 and |53 are spaced from the central pedestal |5| to form therewith slots similar to the slot 30 as described for receiving the journals of two pairs of rolls |60|0| and |62|63 respectively. These rolls are supported by bearing housings |65 and |55 shown as of the same construction as the parts 35 and 60 respectively, the bearing housings |55 for the journals of roll |60 being bolted to the pedestals |5| and |52, and the housings |55 for the journals of roll |62 being similarly bolted to the pedestal 15| and |53. The other parts of these roll assemblies are of the same construction as described for the rolls 32 and 33, and the upper rolls |5| and |62 are shown as driven from a common drive through sheaves or sprockets |61 and a belt or chain |68.

Hydraulic cylinders |10 and |1| are mounted in the base |55 below the bearing block |66 for lifting the two lower roll assemblies into pressure contact with their respective upper rolls, the cylinders |16 operating on roll |6| and the cylinders |1| operating on roll |63. A single control system for these cylinders is shown in schematic outline in Fig. 12. The hydraulic cylinders are provided with air booster units |12, |13 which can be selectively applied. A reservoir |15 for hydraulic fiuid is mounted within the central pedestal |5| at the control side of the machine and is provided with a visual type liquid level gage |16 (Fig. 12). Aline |80 having branch lines 58| conducts the fluid from reservoir |15 to the booster units |12 and |13, and return lines |82 lead to the line |30 from the low pressure sides of the hydraulic cylinders. Lines |84 lead from the'ram end of the booster units to the high pressure sides of the hydraulic cylinders, and these lines are provided with individual control valves |55 such as a needle valve for shutting ofi the now of hydraulic fluid when only one pair of rolls is to be used. Y

Air from actuating the booster units |12 and |13 may be supplied fromrany suitable source to a solenoid type four-way valve |90 mounted in the base as shown and provided with a suitable push button control |9| shown as mounted on one of the pedestals |53. Lines |92 and |93 lead from the valve |55 to the respective booster units |12 and |13, and each is provided with a control valve |95 having a visual gage |96 for regulating the effective pressure. Lines |51 and |98 connect the valve |52 with the low pressure side of the booster units to effect return movement of the pistons therein. Thus a single pressure source and hydraulic fluid reservoir readily serve to operate either or both of the sets of embossing rolls as desired, and at the same time provide for individual pressure setting at each end of either set of rolls when only one set is in use.

Guide rolls are provided for guiding web material to and from one or both sets of the embossing rolls in accordance with a particular operation to be performed. Referring to Fig. 12, a guide roll 200 is mounted at the lower ends of the pedestals |52 by brackets 20|, and a similar guide rollY 202 is mounted at the lower endsof the pedestals |53 by bracket 203. A third guide roll 205 is mounted at the upper end of the pedestals |53 by brackets 206, and additional guide rolls may be provided as desired.

This arrangement with the several guide rolls mounted directly on the pedestal members o the end stands, materially aids in obtaining accurate alignment of al1 of the rolls, since after the pedestals themselves have been squared with each other on the base, accurate alignment of all of the guide and operating rolls is readily obtained. This operation is facilitated by the provision of a central pilot key 2|0 for accurately registering the center pedestals with relation to the base, and the end pedestals may then be readily squared with their associated center pedestals.

Figs. 15 and 16 show alternate possible directions for threading a web 2|2 for embossing by one or the other pair of embossing rolls. Thus in Fig. 15, the web is led to the rolls |62 and |63 by means of rolls 202 and 255, with the web wrapping around both embossingV rolls and being guided from the apparatus over the roll 200 and below the roll |6i. Thus with the web threaded as shown in Fig. l5, the rolls |60 and |6| may be removed and replaced from above as desired without interfering with the operation of the rolls |62 and |63. Similarly in Fig. 16, the web 2 |2 is led to the rolls |65 and |6| over the guide roll 202 and under an additional guide roll 2|5 which may be readily mounted on the inner faces of the central pedestals 5|. The web leaves the appartus over the guide roll 200, and thus the rolls |62 and |62 are left unobstructed for removal and replacement without interruption of the operation of the machine.

Fig. 17 shows a possible direction for threading the web 2|2 to carry out a multiple embossing operation such, for example, as a double corrugating operation in which the corrugations on the rolls |60 and |6| are differently spaced from those on the rolls |62 and |63. The web is guided to the rolls under the guide roll 252 and over the squaring roll 205, wraps around the two pairs of the embossing apparatus in succession and leaves over the guide roll 205. It will be appar ent that the operation of the apparatus for em'- bossing is not limited to this arrangement, there being no necessity for wrapping the web around the rolls, and it is also practicable to guide the web directly through the nips of the rolls.

Fig. 18 shows a possible threading arrangement for carrying out a single embossing operatiorrsimultaneously on two dierent webs. Thus a web 225 is shown as guided from an unwind stand 22| under the guide roll 280 through the nip of rolls |60 and IBI, and around the rolls |60 to a rewind stand 222. Similarly the web 225 is guided from an unwind stand 226 under the guide roll 202 and between rolls |62 and |53, and over the guide 205 to a rewind stand 221. Such an arrangement is entirely practicable with this apparatus as disclosed, and it has the distinctive advantage of making possible two simultaneous embossing operations on the same machine with a single drive.

In addition to the economy of power afforded by this double embosser construction, it requires substantially less space than two single embossers, and it is more economical than a pair of single embossers. Thus the larger base for the double embosser is proportionally not much more costly than the base for the single set of rolls, and the use of the center double pedestal on a common sets of operating rolls. Thus the frame of the dou-ble embosser is more economical to produce than separate frames for two sets of rolls, and since the rolls are required separately in any event, the machine as a whole is considerably more economical for installations where its advantages are desired.

Among the advantages of the double embosser construction in production, one of the outstanding features is that it is unnecessary to shutdown the machine for changing rolls in effecting single embossing operations. Thus as described in connection with Figs. '1'5 and 16, either set of rolls may be operated while `the other set is being exchanged. Also the maintenance requirements, particularly from the standpoint of the necessary operating crews, are reduced in comparison of the requirements of multiple single embossers. It should also be noted that both the single cr double embossers of the invention may be eniployed as laminator by using plain steel or rubber rolls in place of embossing rolls and without detracting from the advantages of the invention.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An embosser comprising a base, a pair of upright end stands mounted at either end of said base and in spaced relation with each other with adjacent edges thereof dening a deep slot open at the upper end thereof, a lower roll, bearing means for said lower roll receivable in said slots through said open upper ends thereof and slidable vertically in said slots, an upper roll, bearings and bearing housings for each end of said upper roll, each of said housings being of generally T-shape and including a main portion receivable in said slots through said open upper ends thereof and a pair of arms proportioned to overlap and seat on the upper ends of said stands, means securing said arms to said stands to maintain said stands in fixed relation while supporting said upper roll in xed location, said securing means being releasable to provide for removal of both of said rolls by upward movement from between said stands, and uid pressure cylinders supported by said base for applying pressure to said supports for said lower roll to urge said lower roll towards said upper roll.

2. An embosser comprising a base, a pair of upright end stands mounted at either end of said base and in spaced relation with each other with adjacent edges thereof defining a deep slot open at the upper end thereof, an upper roll, bearing housings for each end of said upper roll, means for securing said housings to said stands to maintain said stands in fixed relation while supporting said upper roll in fixed -location relative thereto, a lower roll, bearing supports for said lower roll arranged in vertical sliding movement in said slots towards and away from said upper roll, means maintaining said housings and said supports substantially within said slot between each said pair of stands to leave the major portion of the inner surfaces of said stands open an unobstructed, ways secured to said inner surface of opposite said stands, a guide roll, supports for said guide roll movable along said ways, and adjustable means for effecting and regulat- 10 ing said movement of said guide roll supports to' determine the vertical position of said guide `roll with respect to said upper and lower rolls.

3. An embosser comprising a base, a pair of upright end stands mounted at either end of said base and in spaced relation with each other to dene a deep slot open at the upper end thereof, a lower roll assembly including bearing means receivable in said slots through said open upper ends thereof `and slidable vertically in said slots, an upper roll, bearings and bearing housings for said upper roll including a main portion receivable in said siots from above, means for securing said bearing housings in removably fixed relation with said stands to establish said upper roll in fixed location, meshing gears carried by said` rolls for transmitting drive therebetween, fluid pressure cylinders supported at either end of said base and each including a piston. rod projecting upwardly into the bottom end of the adjacent said slot and forming a direct thrust connection between the associated said cylinder and the adjacent said bearing means for said lower roll, means for controlling the application of pressure to said cylinders to effect upward movement of said lower roll toward said fixed upper roll, an annular cushioning member positioned in the bottom end of each said slot and surrounding the adjacent said piston rod to form a cushioning seat for the adjacent said bearing means upon release of pressure in said cylinders, :and said cushioning members being proportioned with relation to the weight of said lower roll assembly and the teeth of said gears to limit the downward movement of said lower roll to a distance less than the radial dimensions of said gear teeth and thereby to support said lower roll with said teeth maintained in mesh upon release of' pressure in said cylinders to assure proper mating of the surfaces of said rolls upon reapplication of said pressure.

fr. An embosser as defined in claim 3 including a drive for said gears, a control switch for said drive and said pressure applying means, a switch having an operating member projecting therefrom, and means mounting said switch on one of said end stands with said operating member in the path of downward movement of the adjacent said bearing means and spaced a predetermined distance below the uppermost position of said bearing means for engagement by said bearing means upon downward movement thereof in excess of said predetermined distance to shut off said drive and simultaneously to effect release of said pressure.

5. A multiple embosser adapted for simultaneous operation with a plurality of pairs of upper and lower rolls, comprising a frame including a single base, end stands at either side of said base, each said stand including a central member and a pair of end members secured to said base in spaced relation to dene a pair' of deep slots open at the upper ends thereof, bearing means for the lower roll of each said pair receivable in one of said slots through said open upper end thereof and slidable vertically in said slots, bearing housings for the upper roll of each said pair including a main portion receivable in the associated said slot from above, means for releasably securing each said bearing housing to the associated said end stand to locate said upper rolls in fixed position in said end stands while providing for removal of each said pair of upper and lower rolls from said slots from above, fluid pressure means carried by said base and including thrust members projecting into the lower end of each of said slots for engagement with the adjacent said bearing housings to urge said lower rolls into pressure engagement with said upper rolls, means for selectively controlling said pressure means to provide for pressure engagement of either or both of said pairs of rolls, and guide rolls supported on said frame for guiding web material to and from said pairs of rolls, certain of said guide rolls being mounted on said frame adjacent the top of said base to guide such web material to and from either said pair of rolls through the space between said base and the other said lower roll to provide for operation of one of said pairs of rolls during removal and replacement of the other said pair of rolls through the upper end of the associated said slots.

References Cited in the le of this patent 5 Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Smith Oct. 22, 1918 Gowdy July 25, 1922 Elliott July 27, 1926 Widener Apr. 18, 1933 Ball May 2, 1933 Goebel et al. June 25, 1940 f Crafts Juiy 16, 1940 Babicz Dec. 9, 1947 Auer Sept. 25, 1951 Richardson June 17, 1952 

